Suffering from a bumpy or uneven subfloor that prevents your new floor coating from laying smoothly? Having a floor levelled is the crucial first step for lasting results and a safe working environment. In this article, we explain why a level floor doubles the lifespan of your top coating.
Why a flat surface is essential for epoxy or pu floors
When applying a high-quality flooring solution, we always first look at the condition of the subfloor. This is because a coating is a relatively thin layer that follows the shape of the subfloor. If the concrete floor underneath shows any bumps or potholes, you will immediately see this reflected in the end result, especially with a smooth epoxy floor.
A flat surface ensures that the liquid plastic spreads equally thickly everywhere. This is crucial for the strength of the floor. In places where the coating is too thin due to an elevation in the concrete, wear and tear occurs faster. By choosing the have floor levelled by Malema Coatings, you ensure even loading and a floor that will last for years.
Prevention of visual imperfections
Nothing is more disturbing than a shiny cast floor in which you can see every unevenness of the old concrete floor. After all, light accentuates every little defect in the floor. By expertly smoothing out the floor in advance, we create a mirror-smooth surface. This immediately gives your premises a professional and sleek appearance.
Techniques for a completely level result
Levelling an industrial floor requires knowledge of materials and the right equipment. It is more than just pouring a liquid substance over the floor. We always start with a thorough inspection of the current surface to determine what pre-treatment is needed for the final cast floor.
How we prevent blemishes from becoming visible later on
To ensure perfect adhesion, we often need to roughen the substrate first. We do this by sanding or dust-free blasting. This removes loose particles and opens the pores of the concrete.
- We first fill deep cracks and holes with a strong repair mortar.
- A special primer is applied that stops the suction of the floor.
- We check the moisture content to prevent blistering in the future.
WHICH LIQUID-TIGHT FLOORS SUIT YOUR SITUATION?
Not every floor is the same. Which liquid-proof solution is most suitable depends on the load, the substrate, the desired appearance and the sector you work in.
Epoxy flooring
Epoxy flooring is a strong, seamless industrial floor that is well suited to areas where heavy loads, hygiene and chemical resistance are important. Epoxy floors are liquid-proof, easy to clean and can carry heavy weight effortlessly.
A thinner protective layer over an existing floor, so epoxy is ideal for large(er) areas and often a budget-friendly solution unlike PMMA.
Advantages:
✔ Twice as strong as concrete
✔ Seamless
✔ Easy to clean
✔ Anti-allergenic
✔ Enormously strong
✔ Light impact and abrasion resistant
Resistant to chemicals and acids
✔ Can be supplied in many colours
✔ Anti-slip possible
✔ Liquid-proof
✔ Can carry heavy weight effortlessly
PMMA floor
A PMMA floor is a strong and hard-wearing floor coating with a particularly great advantage: the floor is fully cured and ready for use again within about two hours. That makes this system ideal for companies where downtime costs money immediately.
PMMA floors are liquid-proof, hygienic, chemical-resistant and can be fitted with anti-slip. They are also flexible, reducing the risk of cracking.
Advantages:
✔ Drying time of only 2 hours
✔ Seamless
✔ Hygienic
✔ Easy to clean
✔ Liquid-proof
✔ Dust-free
✔ Wear-resistant
✔ Flexible so it does not tear
✔ Anti-slip possible
✔ Heat-resistant coating possible
✔ Suitable for cold areas
✔ Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
What should good liquid-proof floors meet?
An impermeable floor should do more than just hold back liquids. In practice, these are the most important properties:
- Seamless finishing
- Resistant to moisture and chemicals
- Wear-resistant top layer
- Easy to clean
- Anti-slip possible
- Suitable for the load of your working environment
That is why it is important to look not only at the price or appearance, but also at the application. A floor in a warehouse simply requires something different from a floor in a butcher's shop or car workshop.
The right methods for a sleek floor
For best results, we often use self-levelling levelling compounds. These materials flow naturally to the lowest point, leaving the floor virtually level. Our specialists supervise this process with professional tools to ensure the right thickness everywhere.
A tight subfloor is the only way to do justice to a quality topcoat. In heavy industrial environments, the levelled layer is often finished with a robust trowel floor for maximum load capacity.
After application, the levelling layer must dry thoroughly before we can proceed with the final finishing. Thanks to modern products, this drying time is often short, so your operations do not have to be shut down unnecessarily.
Security and stability in your premises
A flat floor is not only beautiful, it is also much safer for your employees. On a bumpy floor, puddles of water or oil can remain in the pits. This significantly increases the risk of slipping. In addition, a levelling layer is better for your equipment.
- Forklifts and warehouse trucks vibrate less and wear out less quickly.
- Scaffolding and machines are always stable and safe in place.
- Cleaning machines can clean the floor much more effectively and quickly.
Want to make sure your new commercial floor is laid on a perfect foundation? We would be happy to visit you to assess the current state of your subfloor. Contact us today for tailored advice or request a no-obligation quote right away.